2024 NFL Draft Grades: Los Angeles Chargers

The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Los Angeles Chargers? What are they saying about the Chargers' 2024 draft haul?

NFL.com - Grade: A-

Day 1 grade: B+
Day 2 grade: A-
Day 3 grade: A

Analysis: Alt will doubtlessly be a good offensive tackle for the next decade or more, but Chargers fans will keep one eye on receiver Malik Nabers, who went sixth overall to the Giants, to see if he would have been a better pick. McConkey could quiet any such concerns with his quickness and excellent routes if able to stay health. Head coach Jim Harbaugh found a leader on defense in Colson, who played that role for Harbaugh at Michigan.

Eboigbe fits as a rotational defensive lineman who gives full effort on each play. Hart and Still fulfill the team's need at corner for good value, and Rice (son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice) and Johnson were needed for a thin receiver room. Vidal is a low-center-of-gravity back who could take over for departed veteran Austin Ekeler if veteran JK Dobbins is not ready to go following last year's torn Achilles.

ESPN - Grade: B+

Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive tackle

The Chargers are another team resetting this offseason, and they hired coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz to lead a mini-rebuild. I say "mini" because they already know they have a franchise quarterback with Justin Herbert, so they've completed the hardest part of a roster teardown. Still, they entered the draft with massive questions at wide receiver, where Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston are Nos. 1 and 2 on their depth chart. We know Harbaugh wants to build his offense around the running game -- and dominating teams at the line of scrimmage -- but he can't just avoid upgrading his pass-catchers ... right?

Wrong. Well, at least in Round 1. Harbaugh and Hortiz selected the best offensive tackle in the class in Joe Alt (5), who likely will move over to the right side. I can't say I'm that shocked based on what we know about Harbaugh's preferred style of football, but Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze would have been perfect targets for Justin Herbert.

The Chargers did add a wideout by trading up three spots in Round 2 for Ladd McConkey (34), who is fun to watch once the ball gets in his hands. Will he be a true No. 1 outside target? No, but he can be used in a variety of ways and will be a threat to score on every route. I love this fit. Harbaugh knows linebacker Junior Colson (69) well from their time together at Michigan, and the team didn't reach for Colson, either. I'm a fan. Justin Eboigbe (105) has some pass-rush potential from his defensive tackle spot. Wide receiver Brenden Rice (225) was the best available player on my board for a large chunk of Saturday. His size and speed should allow him to compete for a role in this receiver room.

The Chargers now have two of the most talented tackles in the NFL, though they could still stand to add a pass-catcher for Herbert. I wonder if Hortiz and Harbaugh have another move up their sleeve after the draft.

MORE: Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Draft Roundup


Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, we will update our Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Los Angeles Chargers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Chargers:

Fox Sports - Rob Rang (5/3)

15. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Pearce led the SEC with 10 sacks in 2023 and finished second in the conference with 15 tackles for loss. Listed by the Vols at 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, Pearce has a lean, lanky frame that can handle another 10-15 pounds without sacrificing his trademark burst and bend off the edge.

ESPN - Jordan Reid (5/2)

16. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

More pass-catchers are needed for Justin Herbert, and McMillan is a massive 6-5 target who can align anywhere in formations. He's a long-striding route runner with Velcro-like hands, and he has plenty of speed for a bigger wideout. McMillan averaged 107.8 receiving yards per game last season (fifth in the FBS) and caught a touchdown in five of his final six games.

MORE: Continue reading our 2025 Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup


Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Schedule

Below you will find the weekly regular-season schedule for the Los Angeles Chargers.

WeekDateOpponentTime (ET) / Tickets
Week 1Sun., Sept. 8vs. Las Vegas RaidersW 22-10
Week 2Sun., Sept. 15at Carolina PanthersW 26-3
Week 3Sun., Sept. 22at Pittsburgh SteelersL 20-10
Week 4Sun., Sept. 29vs. Kansas City ChiefsL 17-10
Week 5BYE
Week 6Sun., Oct. 13at Denver BroncosW 23-16
Week 7Mon., Oct. 21at Arizona Cardinals8:15 PM / Tickets
Week 8Sun., Oct. 27vs. New Orleans Saints4:05 PM / Tickets
Week 9Sun., Nov. 3at Cleveland Browns1:00 PM / Tickets
Week 10Sun., Nov. 10vs. Tennessee Titans4:05 PM / Tickets
Week 11Sun., Nov. 17vs. Cincinnati Bengals4:25 PM / Tickets
Week 12Mon., Nov. 25vs. Baltimore Ravens8:15 PM / Tickets
Week 13Sun., Dec. 1at Atlanta Falcons1:00 PM / Tickets
Week 14Sun., Dec. 8at Kansas City Chiefs8:20 PM / Tickets
Week 15Sun., Dec. 15vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers4:25 PM / Tickets
Week 16Sun., Dec. 22vs. Denver Broncos4:05 PM / Tickets
Week 17TBDat New England PatriotsTBD / Tickets
Week 18TBDat Las Vegas RaidersTBD / Tickets

Also, check out the following resources:


Los Angeles Chargers - 2024 Draft Results

The table below are all of the 2024 NFL Draft picks selected by the Los Angeles Chargers.

RoundOverallPlayerPositionSchool
15Joe AltOTNotre Dame
234Ladd McConkeyWRGeorgia
369Junior ColsonLBMichigan
4105Justin EboigbeDTAlabama
5137Tarheeb StillCBMaryland
5140Cam HartCBNotre Dame
6181Kimani VidalRBTroy
7225Brenden RiceWRUSC
7253Cornelius JohnsonWRMichigan

More: 2024 NFL Draft Results - Los Angeles Chargers Draft History